Object Relations Family Therapy

Question 0

What does Object Relations Theory maintain regarding how we interpret objects around us?

Answer 0

We form certain internal mental representations that are partly based in reality and partly in our own reality.
Class #4 Study notes P 1

Question 1

Define Object Relations Theory

Answer 1

Pathology is defined as unresolved family of origin pain from the past that fosters unhealthy projections and reactivity in the present.
Class #4 Study notes P. 1

Question 2

What are the key 3 names associated with Object Relations Theory?

Answer 2

Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein and Ronald Fairbairn

Class #4 Study notes P. 2

Question 3

What does Object Relation Family Therapy seek to do?

Answer 3

Make the unconscious, conscious.

Class #4 Study notes P. 2

Question 4

When can Object Relations Family Therapy be useful?

Answer 4

When MFTs suspect repressed painful wounds are surfacing in the therapy room.
Class #4 Study notes P.2

Question 5

What is the basic human need that Object Relations therapist emphasize?

Answer 5

The basic human need that people have is for attachment and relationship to others/
Class #4 Study notes P. 3

Question 6

What key names are associated with Object Relations Family Therapy?

Answer 6

James Framo, Nathan Ackerman, David and Jill Scharff, and Samuel Slipp

Class #4 Study notes P. 3

Question 7

According to ORFT what is the result of our early experiences with our primary attachments objects?”

Answer 7

Internal mental representations are formed:
who we are, how we think, how we interpret the world around us.
Class #4 Study notes P. 3

Question 8

Describe the Self-Object Concept.

Answer 8

The basic human need for RELATIONSHIP and ATTACHMENT to others. Therapist assess how people relate to others based on pass expectations developed for early experience with primary attachment objects - mothers.
Class #4 Study notes P. 5

Question 9

Making the unconscious conscious has the goal of what?

Answer 9

Resolving past wounds to positively impact the well being and health of the family at the individual, couple, and family level.
Class #4 Study notes P 4-5

Question 10

What is a rejecting object?

Answer 10

An internal mental representation of the caregiver which interrelated with moments/instances when the child’s needs for attachment were rejected, leading to anger and/or some other negative emotion.
Class #4 Study notes P. 6

Question 11

Describe An Exciting Object.

Answer 11

An internal mental representation of the caregiver formed when the child’s needs for attachment were overstimulated leading to longing for an unattainable but tempting object.
Class #4 Study notes P. 6

Question 12

How does Freud define “Splitting”?

Answer 12

The EGO dividing itself in order to coexist with two conflicting messages.
Nichols P. 167
Class #4 Study notes P. 7

Question 13

What is an ideal object?

Answer 13

An internal mental representation that has a positive impact on our perspective of self and our interactions with others. They make us feel good about ourselves and positively impact our interactions with others.
Class #4 Study notes P. 6

Question 14

What did Fairbairn asses to the process of “Splitting”?

Answer 14

External objects (parents & emotions -affection, anger, resentment) are also involved in the process. And maturity and immaturity is based on how developing children LEARNS TO MANAGE splits involving ego, external objects and emotions. Class #4 Study notes P. 7

Question 15

According to Fairbairn, what is the result of failure to syncronize splits within one’s external reality?

Answer 15

It produces internal conflict that leaks out into the way we relate to external objects (other people) Class #4 Study notes P 8

Question 16

Fairbairn posits that maturity and immaturity is based on what?

Answer 16

How a child learns to manage splits with involve the ego, external objects, and our emotions.
Class #4 Study notes P 8

Question 17

In ORFT in what 3 ways do we experience our caregivers?

Answer 17

As ideal, rejecting or exciting.
Class #4 Study notes P. 5-9
NIchols P. 167

Question 18

What are introjections?

Answer 18

The internal mental images that we have of ourselves and our important objects. How we come to think of ourselves.
Class #4 Study notes P. 9

Question 19

What are projections?

Answer 19

The process by which ones own traits, urges, emotions and dispositions etc, are ascribed to another
Class #4 Study notes P. 10
http://drs-oleary.com/Projective_Identification.htm

Question 20

Describe Projective Identification.

Answer 20

Clients defend against anxiety by PROJECTING certain split-off or unwanted parts of themselves onto the other person, who is then manipulated by these PROJECTIONS. Projections are interactional.
Class #4 Study notes P. 12

Question 21

Define Transference

Answer 21

One person projecting onto another repressed, unwanted feelings and attitudes.
Interactions towards another person are based on certain internalized object relations patterns for a former relationship Class #4 Study notes P. 13

Question 22

ORFT assess for transference in what 2 ways?

Answer 22

1. From client to therapist
2. From one family member to another
   Class #4 Study notes P. 13

Question 24

How does transference occur?

Answer 24

When an individual’s interactions towards another individual are based on certain internalized object relations patterns from former relationships (the other actual person AND the internal other).
Class #4 Study notes P 13

Question 25

What does a Protective Holding Zone offer after joining has been accomplished?

Answer 25

A safe zone/safe environment that offers unconditional positive regard to all family members.
Class #4 Study notes P. 14

Question 26

What is necessary in order for ORFT to proceed?

Answer 26

An initial hypothesis.

Class #4 Study notes P 15

Question 27

What are the 4 basic techniques in ORFT?

Answer 27

Listening, Analytic Neutrality, Empathy and Interpretations.
Class #4 Study notes P. 15
Nichols P. 175

Question 28

What does the ORFT need to do to establish Analytic Neutrality?

Answer 28

Concentrate on understanding without problem solving.
Class #4 Study notes P. 16
Nichols P. 175

Question 28

How is the technique of Interpretation used in ORFT?

Answer 28

To clarify hidden aspects of their experience after the family opens up.
Class #4 Study notes P. 16
Nichols P. 175

Question 29

What is said about the listening technique in Object Relations Family Therapy?

Answer 29

The form of ORFT engages in is a strenuous, silent process that requires concentration and effort.
Class #4 Study notes P. 16
Nichols P. 175

Question 30

How is the technique of Empathy used in ORFT?

Answer 30

When necessary intervene by expressing empathy to help the family members open up.
Class #4 Study notes P. 16
Nichols P. 175

Question 31

What is the goal of ORFT and why?

Answer 31

The goal of ORFT is the identification of unconscious inner conflict that is not measured because it is subjective in form.
Class #4 Study notes P. 18
Nichols P. 175

Question 32

Through therapy the therapist will probe gently in an efford to….

Answer 32

a. Elicit history
b. thoughts
c. perspectives
d. feelings.
Class #4 Study notes P. 17
Nichols P. 175

Question 34

What is the study of feedback mechanisms in self-regulating systems called?

Answer 34

Cybernetics

Nichols P. 55